Winter Garden, FL Community & Covid-19

Covid-19 is making an impact around the world and right here in Winter Garden, FL. Winter Garden, FL is a community focused small town that’s flourishing with small businesses. Each and every locally owned business is a part of Winter Garden’s story and makes our community so special. Unfortunately, both businesses and all of us who call Winter Garden, FL home are facing unprecedented times due to Covid-19. We know how great our community is and during this challenging time, we expect nothing less than to see our true strength come alive.

Over the past few months the community of Winter Garden has showed up in all types of ways to support one another even during Covid-19. We have seen support through shopping local, people helping the elderly so they don’t have to leave their homes, and even through small but mighty choices from people wearing masks while in public spaces. We have all come to rely on each other during these times. Our small-town businesses and the people who live here need community now, more than ever! Here is how YOU can help support the Winter Garden community during Covid-19.

How YOU Can Help the Community During Covid-19

Support Local Businesses

It’s no secret that local businesses need a certain amount of revenue to stay afloat. It’s plain and simple, if they are not making money they cannot stay open! Due to Covid-19 causing social distancing many businesses to change their current way of operation for the safety of all people. So, yes things may look a little different when you visit a restaurant or store, but the good news is you can still eat and shop.

There are two great local resources that have up to date information regarding how local businesses are doing things during this time. You can find them both on Facebook and Instagram.

• Winter Garden Curbside Foodies – This is a fantastic resource that has the 411 on local restaurants in Winter Garden, FL. You’ll see posts from restaurants about the specials they’re offering as well as raves and reviews from people who have eaten at them!
• We are Winter Garden – Your one stop for all things Winter Garden. Here you can experience Winter Garden, FL from online! Discover how local businesses are currently doing things. You can even find out what specials are going on!
• Winter Garden Post –  A directory of everything Winter Garden has to offer. Here you’ll discover all the businesses in Winter Garden.

Lifting up our small-town businesses is imperative during this time. Let us come together as a community and buy what we can from local businesses before shopping big box retailers and online conglomerates. Many of our local businesses are owned and operated by people who live right here in Winter Garden. Now is when they need us the most, so let us do our part to help. It is also important to remember those most at risk for this virus and for everyone to do their part to help in this fight against the virus. Though no one wants to stay home and be isolated away from others, it is the only thing we can do if not directly on the front lines. If everyone does their part, it will make the fight against this pandemic just a little bit smoother. 

Eat Local

Winter Garden makes this an easily achievable task. The only issue with eating local is making up your mind about what to eat. There’s no short supply of mouth watering options to choose from. The local options are endless… and restaurants are making it easier than ever to enjoy their food. Whether you are comfortable with dining in or would rather grab and go, they make it a great experience!

Shop Local

After you’ve filled up on the local grub, burn off some calories by shopping! Most local shops are open and ready for business right now. However if you’d prefer to keep your distance many of them have set it up where you can order online and pick it up or even have it delivered to you!

Support the Community

Keep in mind, there’s more ways to support your Winter Garden community than eating and shopping local! Our team brainstormed some ideas and here’s what we came up with. We challenge you to do each of these things, then when you’re done, do them again!

• Order from local restaurants and coffee shops for curbside pickup. Some even offer delivery!
  • Visit the Facebook pages mentioned above for options as there are too many to list or call your favorite local restaurant to see if they are open. Find out if they are offering at restaurant dining and/or are available for curbside pickup or to go orders.
• Shop local establishments. Many of them do allow you to come inside and shop, however, to make things more safe for you, they can put your order together and you can pick it up or have it shipped.
• Buy gift cards for family and friends or even for you to use at a later time from local businesses.
• The Winter Garden Farmer’s Market is still going strong! In efforts to keep our community safe and shopping quicker, you can order from vendors online. Then all you have to do is swing by their vendor tent and grab your goods. Check out the Winter Garden Farmer’s Market website or Facebook page for more details.
• Have a birthday to celebrate? Order from one of the amazing in-store or in-home bakers in town and let them create a birthday cake masterpiece for you!
• Donate Blood!
• Stay home if you are sick. This sounds like common sense, but it’s really a huge thing you can do on your part. While you may think it’s just allergies or a slight cold, you could have Covid-19. This particular illness affects everyone different and there’s no way to know how it may affect you. So as an extra precaution if you are feeling under the weather stay home until you are feeling better.
• Don’t go out unless it’s necessary. Now is not the time to be attending large gatherings or events.
• Practice social distancing of 6 feet or more. When you are out, make sure you are practicing effective social distancing.
• Wash your hands.
• If you are going to the store, ask your elderly or pregnant neighbor, or anyone you know who is more at risk, if there is anything they need.
• Be kind. Everyone is concerned over this pandemic. Do not forget how far kindness and politeness can go.

Help Community Organizations

Besides businesses, some of our own people are struggling right here in the community. Not being able to supply food for themselves or their own family is a major issue for many right here in Winter Garden. Unfortunately, this holds true more so now as so many businesses are shut down over this pandemic. With no end in sight, it is vital that we help our everyone we can in our community. Here is one local organization that could use your help in supporting the community.

Mathew’s Hope is a homeless outreach ministry supporting the homeless year-round. They are currently taking their outreach on the road around Winter Garden to limit the numbers of people gathering in their building. This is in efforts to help stop the spread of the Coronavirus. They are in need of help now more than ever. If you cannot make a monetary donation, please consider donating some of the items listed below as well as following them on Facebook to see current updates and needs.

Per Mathew’s Hope, they are completely out or nearly out of the following items:

• Food:
  • Canned Meats (SPAM, Chicken, Ham, Tuna & Vienna Sausages)
  • Hearty Broth-based Soups
  • Chili
  • Beef Stew
  • Pastas with Meat (Canned)
  • Canned Fruit
  • Canned Veggies (Peas, Corn. Carrots)
  • Bottled Water
  • Gatorade
  • Instant Coffee
• Travel Size Hygiene Items:
  • Gold Bond Powder
  • Men’s Razors
  • Wet Wipes
  • Hand Sanitizer
  • Toilet Pape
• Clothing:
  • Men’s T-Shirts (XL)
  • Men’s Boxers (MD,LG, XL, XXL)
• And… Insect Repellant

Need more info, call 407.905.9500 or contact us at info@MatthewsHopeMinistries.org

To donate financially, TEXT MHM to 41444 or https://www.matthewshopeministries.org/donate-money

Please follow these Links for other needs…

https://www.matthewshopeministries.org/donate-food
https://www.matthewshopeministries.org/donate-items

Businesses are Stepping Up for the Community Too

Winter Garden is home to many businesses. Over the past few months we have seen many of them really step up and help the Winter Garden Community in some pretty stellar ways!

Many stores have opened back up with revisions at this time. Such as grocery stores offering special hours for senior citizens for them to shop first thing in the morning.They have also changed their regular hours of operation to offer more time for cleaning and sanitation of the stores and to restock shelves. Plexiglass has been installed between the cashiers and shoppers to help limit the spread of possible Coronavirus germs.

Additional Resources

Other companies, such as LinkedIn are offering free educational courses.

•  LinkedIn is offering up to 16 free different courses to help provide tips on how to stay productive and build relationships you cannot be face to face. They even have a course on how to use virtual meeting tools to help your business and balance work and family while doing it all at home.
• The College of Business at Florida Atlantic University is offering a free Certificate in Tourism and Hospitality Management.  This certification will provide those participating with necessary tools and knowledge for career development.

The Erica Diaz Team Supports the Winter Garden, FL Community

Winter Garden, FL is feeling the effects from Covid-19. It’s now more important than ever for us to support our local community. This is done when you eat local, shop local, support local organizations, and other ways. One thing we know is that through all of this we have seen our vibrant city shine through it all. Pandemic or not, Winter Garden is the place to live!

Are you ready to call Winter Garden home? If you’re thinking about buying Winter Garden real estate Contact the Erica Diaz Team today to start your own list of reasons to own real estate in Winter Garden.